MidMEAC - Greenway Development

On September 4, 2003, Mid-MEAC held a reception at the Otherwise Gallery in Old Town that
featured guest speaker Bob Otwell from the Traverse Area Regional and Transportation Trail,
as well as other local speaker on the economic benefit of trails and greenways. Local retailers,
restaurateurs, and economic developers attended and discussed the opportunities for trails in
Mid-Michigan. These meetings were followed by similar presentations before the Regional
Economic Development Team and the Rotary Club. This project was funded by a grant from the
Michigan Environmental Education Roundtable. Handouts and other resources pertinent to
these sessions are available by clicking on the links below:

From 2002 - 2005, Mid-MEAC's Trail and Greenways Committee has oversaw Mid-MEAC's
Trail and Greenway efforts. The group informed Mid-MEAC members and the larger
Mid-Michigan community about public meetings and other opportunities to support trails and
greenways in the area. The committee also applies for and implements grant projects to
educate and inform citizens and businesses about trails and greenways.

WHAT ARE TRAILS AND GREENWAYS?

Greenways are corridors of protected open space
managed for conservation and recreation
purposes. Greenways often follow natural land or
water features, and link nature reserves, parks,
cultural features and historic sites with each other
and with populated areas. Greenways can be
publicly or privately owned, and some are the
result of public/private partnerships. Trails are
paths used for walking, bicycling, horseback
riding, or other forms of recreation, exercise or
transportation. Trails and greenways often follow
abandoned rail corridors, canals, and utility
rights-of-way.

Between June and September 2004, Mid-MEAC volunteers and interns completed over 300
surveys of people using the Lansing River Trail. This data is now being compiled and analysed
by statisticians and Michigan State University. In coming months a final report of this data will
be presented to the City of Lansing's Park and Recreation Department for use in expanding and
improving the Lansing River Trail. A big thanks to all the volunteers and interns Melissa and
Josh who helped with the project! Also thanks to the League of Michigan Bicyclists which is
funding this project through a DALMAC grant. Click here for full report (MS word).

November 20, 2004 at Hannah Community Center. Over 100 area citizens gathered to explore
potential trail connections in the Clinton-Eaton-Ingham tri-county area. A committee continues
as a result of this conference to pursue funding and building connections. More info: contact
Rails-to-Trails, 485-6022, or e-mail nancy@railtrails.org for more information.